Not only was Trevor the first to hug the mayor -- the candidate with "pretty eyes'' he wanted to win the town's top office -- she invited him to lead the Pledge of Allegiance that started the official swearing-in ceremony for the town's 25 elected officials.

Trevor even got a personal introduction to Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, who was invited to give the formal oaths of office to the town's new leaders.

Before the 7 p.m. ceremony in the New Milford High School auditorium, Murphy waved Trevor over to meet Fedele. The state's second-in-command shook the boy's hand and gave him a state of Connecticut pin he removed from his lapel.

"When I run for governor, you can help me,'' Fedele said to Trevor, whose devotion to Murphy's campaign won him a place on one of her campaign fliers.

Asked to attend a number of similar ceremonies across the state, Fedele said he appreciates the opportunity because it speaks to the heart of democracy.

These leaders the people chose to represent them in a free election are now called upon to come together to do the citizens' business, he said.

After taking her oath, Murphy thanked all those who helped her become the longest-serving mayor in the town's history.

She said she looks forward to working with all the town's officials -- new and veteran, regardless of party affiliation -- to do what needs to be done for New Milford. She noted there will be challenges but she looks forward to facing them as a "team effort.''

She said she is always willing to listen to others' ideas and offer help where she can. "If I stick my nose in where it doesn't help, you can tell me that, too."

As for Trevor, he was all smiles as his family snapped pictures of the ceremony. His proud mother, Dawn, expects one day he might be taking an oath.